During the season, ETSU head volleyball coach Lindsey Devine has agreed to sit down with the media relations staff to answer some questions about the team.

Below are her answers to the first set of questions this season…

Coach, after having nine matches under your belt, talk about your thoughts on the team’s play at this point of the season.

As we head into our third and final tournament for the 2012 preseason, I feel our team has demonstrated they are a group of determined players. These preseason tournaments have exposed us to a variety of learning situations that we could be faced throughout our conference season. We have had to battle from behind, demonstrate patience with each other, and trust the system the coaching staff is trying to implement.

With having only two upperclassmen and 11 underclassmen, talk about how important it has been for this team to get off to the strong start.

I really feel the core of returners did a fantastic job training hard throughout the summer. This is the first time in my coaching career here at ETSU where we had 95% of the team return to campus early. The returners really helped our freshmen understand what is expected of them. Kayla (Williams) knows she only has one more season here, and together, she and I have had many conversations as to what footprint she wants to leave at ETSU. It was important for Kayla, along with Jamie Rutledge to join with Megan (Devine) and be our team captains. Each one of these players offers so much to our program, but in their own way. I give a great deal of credit to these three young ladies for reinforcing an atmosphere of passion, 100% effort, and trust within our team.

What has been the biggest surprise you have seen with this team from preseason training through these first nine matches?

The biggest surprise I have seen with this team from the preseason is our battle mentality. With only one senior and one junior, we are still a very young team. We have been faced with matches this year where we have had to dig a little deeper and string some plays together in order to get a win. In the end, I love how this team has established a “No Quit” attitude.

If there’s one thing you want to see improved on this weekend, what would it be and why?

Going into this last preseason weekend at Alabama, I really want our team to continue to have the confidence to take risks. I want some players to take rips from the backcourt and regardless of whether we get the kill or not, to do the same play again and again with the same confidence. Also, I want our team to be confident on the service line. I want this group to see they are a pretty special team… We will “Battle, Breathe, and Believe!”

The ETSU volleyball team is gearing up to play Alabama State (10 a.m.) and Austin Peay (3 p.m.) on Friday, while closing out the Bama Bash with Lamar (3 p.m.) and Alabama (8 p.m.) on Saturday. Following the tournament, the Blue and Gold return home to face Western Carolina on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. inside Brooks Gym.